Running a Half Marathon for People Living with MCAS – Sunday 1st March, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

On Sunday 1st March, I’ll be running a half marathon at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to raise funds for Mast Cell Action, a charity supporting those living with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

MCAS is a complex, often invisible condition that affects the immune system. Mast cells are meant to protect us, but in MCAS they can misfire, releasing chemicals such as histamine and other inflammatory mediators throughout the body. This can trigger severe allergic-type reactions and chronic, debilitating symptoms.

For people with MCAS, everyday activities - eating, exercising, going outside, or even attending school or work can trigger unpredictable reactions and lead to serious illness.

My nephew lives with MCAS, and I’ve seen first hand how profoundly it has affected his life. He can react to foods, medications, exercise, and everyday environments. He struggles to play sports and attend school regularly because he often feels so unwell - something that’s especially hard during the teenage years, when confidence and independence matter so much.

Despite the severity of the condition, MCAS is still poorly recognised in the UK and there are currently no official NHS guidelines. This lack of recognition means limited awareness, delayed diagnoses, and too few clinicians with the knowledge to provide effective care. Many families are left feeling isolated, unheard, and unsupported.

That’s where Mast Cell Action comes in. The charity works tirelessly to:

- Support those affected and their families who are struggling to access help;

- Educate healthcare professionals to improve diagnosis and treatment; and

- Raise awareness so people with MCAS are taken seriously.

Every donation makes a real difference. Your support can help a family feel less alone, help a clinician learn to recognise MCAS sooner, and help improve life for people living with this condition every day.

If you’re able to donate, I’d be incredibly grateful. And if you can’t, sharing this page would mean just as much.

Thank you!